Wes Fryer: Chapter 1

     The first chapter of Playing with Media, by Wesley Fryer, focused on the ever so significant role technology plays in education. Overall, I was very happy with this chapter and in agreement with it. Often times teachers assume that students are "computer literate" based on the assumption that we grew up with technology. Though this is can be true, sometimes a student can be internet savvy, but clueless about programs and the mechanics behind it. Fryer made this same observation, "We should not mistake digital use for digital understanding or communications fluency", and suggested that teachers act as "digital bridges" (Kindle Locations 238-239). Currently, high stakes testing is popular in the United States, "For a variety of political as well as psychological factors, politicians in the United States in the past decade have been enamored with high stakes testing in our K-12 schools." (Kindle Locations 281-285), in education, this is becoming a sort of epidemic, because it is assuming that all humans learn in the same manner. This assumption is leading to misrepresentations of student achievements. Using technology we can allow students to take advantage of exploration and creativity using media, an essential modern skill. Fryer believes that all educators should be able to use technology in the classroom as it is becoming increasingly important, "Outstanding teachers in the twenty-first century, like their predecessors, will be defined not only by their content knowledge but also by the effective ways they are able to inspire, relate to, and motivate students to stretch beyond their acknowledged limits." (Kindle Locations 254-255). Both education and technology are ever-changing; with each passing hour new and better technology is being developed, as both educators and students it is imperative that we allow ourselves to reap the benefits of it. 

iPad Personalization

     To me, the first and greatest thing anybody can do to make a device more personal is by selecting a background that they enjoy; I chose The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. This piece is easily my favorite painting and it has such an inspiring depth that I thought it would be perfect for my iPad. Beyond the background, I linked several of my accounts to the device. Before receiving the iPad I was skeptical of its usefulness, simply because it is essentially a more compact laptop; however, I found that its interactive qualities and abundance of apps are very much worth having. The iPad's worth was clear after only the first half-hour of personalizing, and now that I have had it for four days I know it will kill me to give it back next week. 

Chapter 2: Respect, Liking, Trust, and Fairness (Fires)

     The second chapter of Fires in the Bathroom, by Kathleen Cushman, focused on the balance of respect and trust between student and teacher. On the first page of the chapter there is a story about a lenient track coach who seemed more concerned with being liked than successful, in result the team always lost. Replacing him was an extremely militant coach that accomplished much for the team, but lacked the friendliness of the previous coach. Students need a balance of respect and trust with their educators in order to get the most out of their education.

     In high school, I had many teachers whom I enjoyed as people, and many teachers I respected as educators, but it was those who could balance the two that I loved. In the classroom, the student likes to feel like they are being taught by somebody who is confident in their lessons, but also by somebody who would go out of their way to help them with whatever they may need. In this chapter, the students make it clear that a key to success lies within the relationships they form with their educators.

Chapter 1: Knowing Students Well (Fires)

     The first chapter of Fires in the Bathroom, by Kathleen Cushman, focused on, as a teacher, getting to know your students. A student said, on page four, “If there’s confusion on my face, I want you to see it. If there’s disagreement, I want you to say, 'You disagree? Why?'” Students want to be seen as people, not just students. 

     In high school, I was often times too shy to speak my opinion in class, it felt great to be called on by a teacher for looking inquisitive. Many times students will have something to say but for whatever reason they are uncomfortable raising their hand to speak. It is a rather simple task to pay attention to somebodies body language, and it can make a world of difference in that persons’ school day.